Do you need auto insurance if you don’t drive your car?
There are some situations in which you can choose not to insure a car that isn’t being driven.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Producer
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Producer
UPDATED: Jul 13, 2024
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Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 13, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Do you have to keep insurance on a car you’re not driving? Many people have a vehicle they use to drive to work, school, and handle daily errands. These cars have to be insured at all times to meet state minimum auto insurance requirements.
But do you need insurance on a car you don’t drive? If your vehicle is registered in your state, then you need insurance for a car that is not used. Depending on your provider, you have options to suspend car insurance while traveling abroad or buy temporary insurance for part-time vehicles.
Do you need auto insurance if you don’t drive your car? Keep reading to learn how to buy auto insurance for a car you don’t drive.
- You’re legally required to insure cars registered in your state
- It’s possible to suspend insurance for a car that is rarely driven
- A car that is not insured can’t be driven on public roads
Getting Auto Insurance for an Unused Car
Do you need car insurance? While a car that isn’t being driven doesn’t have to be actively covered by insurance as long as it’s on private property, it’s in your best interests to keep your policy active.
Even if you own an old clunker that you plan to pass on to your kids someday, or have a collector car that sits in your garage away from the elements, you should make sure that you’re properly insuring a car that is not being driven regularly.
Can I drop insurance on a car I don’t drive? You can, but having a lapse in coverage can increase your rates dramatically when you do decide to purchase insurance again. You can also face severe consequences if you take your stored vehicle out for a spin without an active policy.
If you want to remove car insurance when not driving, check with your state’s DMV to find out what you need to do. You may need to surrender your plates or register the car as non-operational to avoid buying insurance for a car that is off the road.
Suspending Auto Insurance
Do I need to insure a car I don’t drive? If you’re heading off to college or traveling abroad for an extended period of time, you may be asking yourself, “Can I cancel insurance on a car I don’t drive?” Depending on which insurance company you have, this might be an option, which could, in turn, save you money.
In addition to going to college, a long trip, or temporary relocation out of the country, being deployed in the military may also qualify you for a suspension in insurance. This is an option for people who wish to use their vehicle when they return but cannot take it with them.
If I don’t drive my car do I need insurance? Yes, you can own a car without insurance if you don’t drive it, but you will need at least liability coverage if you plan to park your unused car on a public street.
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Types of Auto Insurance for Non-Drivers
If you are not driving a car do you need insurance? While most people generally don’t own a car when they don’t drive, there are circumstances where they will have one.
For example, if someone is widowed or a widower and the late spouse did all of the driving, they may have a vehicle sitting in the driveway. The same is true for someone who has inherited a vehicle. Another common example of needing insurance for a car you don’t drive would be someone who only knows how to drive an automatic but now owns a stick shift vehicle.
Is car insurance required for non-drivers? For instance, if you own a car but don’t drive it do you need insurance? That depends on where you plan on storing it. The answer is yes if that car will ever be driven by anyone on a public street, or even parked on one.
A car can sit without insurance on private property, so why do I have to pay insurance on a car I don’t drive? Remember that insurance follows the vehicle. If anyone drives that car for any reason, it has to be insured by you, the owner.
Can I not insure my car? No, you legally need auto insurance. You may be able to drop your policy down to more affordable car insurance with lower liability limits.
You should also look into getting comprehensive insurance coverage for the car. This way, if it is hit by a falling tree branch when it’s parked in your driveway, your vehicle will still be protected. If you have a car you don’t drive, a comprehensive policy will also protect that car against vandalism, floods, and riot damage.
Non-Owner Auto Insurance
If I’m not driving my car do I need insurance? This is a common question for drivers who don’t drive their own cars. If you borrow or rent vehicles more often than you drive a personal vehicle, consider non-owner auto insurance.
Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage on vehicles a driver uses but doesn’t own. It doesn’t always apply to work vehicles, as you’ll need a separate commercial or rideshare policy depending on the type of work you do, but it can apply to a roommate’s or family member’s car that you use often.
State Auto Insurance Laws
Do you have to insure a car you don’t drive? All states are different, and drivers face different punishments for not meeting insurance requirements.
Why do you need car insurance to drive? Because state law requires it. Every state has a minimum auto insurance requirement. Drivers can meet financial requirements to waive state-required insurance limits, but most drivers have to buy at least minimum liability and personal injury protection.
Do you have to carry insurance on a car that is not being driven in your state? For example, can you take insurance off my car if you’re not driving it in Texas? Texas law requires drivers to insure all registered vehicles or face up to $1,000 in fines and license suspension.
What Happens if You Don’t Have Insurance on Your Car
Can I have a car without insurance and not drive it? Yes, you can keep an uninsured vehicle as long as the car isn’t registered and you aren’t driving it. However, there are legal consequences for driving a car without auto insurance.
Is it illegal to not have car insurance? Yes, so don’t skip out on getting insurance on a car not being driven. Driving without insurance can lead to serious consequences.
Here’s what you might face if you think you can drive a car without insurance:
- Increased Insurance Rates: Expect your premiums to skyrocket when you do decide to get insured. Insurance companies view uninsured drivers as high-risk, which means higher rates.
- License Suspension: Many states will suspend your driver’s license if you’re caught driving uninsured.
- Loss of Registration: Driving without insurance could result in the revocation of your vehicle’s registration. Without proper registration, you can’t legally drive your car.
- Expensive Fines: Fines for driving uninsured vary by state but can be hefty, and you’ll also face court fees and other related expenses.
- Citations: Police officers will write tickets if you’re caught driving without insurance, which can raise your rates.
Do you have to have insurance on a car if you’re not driving it? Yes, and these tips will help you get cheap car insurance for a car not being driven:
- Look for low-mileage discounts. Most companies offer discounts to drivers who are on the road under 10,000 miles per year.
- Consider storage insurance. If your car will be parked for an extended period, storage insurance might be a cost-effective option.
- Explore usage-based and pay-per-mile insurance. Some insurers offer policies where you pay based on driving habits and the number of miles you drive, which can be beneficial if your car is rarely used.
Do you need auto insurance if you don’t drive your car? Remember, the question shouldn’t be “Do I need car insurance?” but rather “How can I get affordable auto insurance that meets state requirements?” Skipping insurance is never worth the risk.
The Bottom Line: Do you need auto insurance if you don’t drive your car?
Does my car have to be insured if I’m not using it? While many people believe that you do not need car insurance if you’re not driving a car that sits idle, state laws vary. You may need special registration since most states will revoke your registration if your insurance lapses.
Can you have a car parked without insurance? No. You can’t drive or park a car that has no liability insurance on any public road. While you can sometimes qualify for certain exceptions and loopholes, you should insure any car that is in your possession unless you have taken the proper steps to put the car in storage. Being caught without insurance can result in hefty fines, so never take an uninsured car out on a public street.
If your current car insurance is still too expensive for your parked vehicle, shop around to make sure you are getting the best possible quote for your unique circumstance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep car insurance if I don’t have a car?
If you drive regularly, you will need to buy auto insurance. You can get a non-owner policy to cover when you rent or borrow any car. However, if you borrow someone’s vehicle regularly, having them add you as a driver to their policy can lower your insurance rates.
Does my car need insurance if I’m not driving it?
In most cases, if you own a car, you are still required to have auto insurance coverage, even if you don’t drive the vehicle. The laws and regulations regarding auto insurance vary by country and state, but in general, owning a car typically comes with certain financial responsibilities, including maintaining insurance coverage.
Do you have to have insurance on a car you don’t drive?
There are several reasons why you may need auto insurance even if you don’t drive your car. First, accidents can happen even when a car is not in use, such as theft, vandalism, or damage caused by natural disasters. Auto insurance can provide coverage for these types of risks. Additionally, if you have a loan or lease on the vehicle, your lender or leasing company may require you to maintain insurance coverage as a condition of the agreement.
Can I cancel my car insurance if I don’t drive my car?
If you own a car but don’t plan on driving it, you may consider canceling your auto insurance. However, before making a decision, it’s important to check the legal requirements and consult with your insurance provider. Keep in mind that canceling your insurance may leave your car uninsured against risks like theft, fire, or damage caused by other non-driving-related factors. Also, when you do decide to drive the car again, you’ll need to reinstate your insurance before taking it on the road.
Can I take insurance off my car if I’m not driving it in Florida?
No, Florida requires auto insurance on all registered vehicles in the state. Drivers will lose their license for driving without auto insurance in Florida.
Can you insure a car you don’t own?
Yes, even if you don’t own a car, you can buy non-owner auto insurance to provide liability coverage on vehicles you do borrow or rent.
Do I have to insure my car if I am not driving it?
If you have a car that you don’t drive, some insurance companies offer specialized policies known as “storage insurance” or “comprehensive-only coverage.” These policies provide coverage for non-driving-related risks like theft, fire, or damage caused by natural disasters while the car is in storage. This type of coverage is usually less expensive than standard auto insurance but typically doesn’t provide liability coverage while driving.
What happens if I don’t have insurance and my non-driving car gets damaged?
If your non-driven car sustains damage and you don’t have insurance coverage, you will likely be responsible for covering the repair costs out of pocket. Without insurance, you won’t have the financial protection to help mitigate the expenses resulting from theft, vandalism, or other non-driving-related incidents. It’s important to consider the potential risks and costs before deciding to forego insurance coverage for your car.
Can I take insurance off my car if I’m not driving it for an extended period?
Some insurance companies may offer the option to suspend your auto insurance coverage temporarily if you don’t plan to drive your car for an extended period. This is often referred to as “laid-up coverage” or “storage insurance for cars.” It allows you to maintain comprehensive coverage for non-driving-related risks while reducing or suspending liability and collision coverage during the period of non-use. However, the availability of this option and the specific terms may vary among insurance providers, so it’s important to check with your insurer for details.
What if someone else drives my car while I don’t drive it? Do I still need insurance?
If someone else will be driving your car while you don’t use it, it’s generally advisable to maintain auto insurance coverage. Most insurance policies extend coverage to permissive drivers, meaning individuals you give permission to drive your vehicle. By having insurance in place, you can help protect yourself from potential liability if an accident were to occur while someone else is driving your car. It’s crucial to review your insurance policy or consult with your insurance provider to ensure the coverage extends to permissive drivers.
Can I get a lower insurance rate if I don’t drive my car?
Some insurance companies offer discounts or lower rates for cars that are not driven regularly. These discounts may be available under specific circumstances, such as if you can demonstrate that the car is stored in a secure location, equipped with anti-theft devices, or not driven for an extended period. It’s worth reaching out to your insurance provider to inquire about any potential discounts or reduced rates for non-driven vehicles.
Will my insurance rates be affected if I don’t drive my car?
Insurance rates are typically based on various factors, including your driving history, location, and the make and model of your car. If you don’t drive your car, your insurance rates may be affected differently depending on the insurance company and their underwriting guidelines. Some insurers offer discounts for low mileage or non-driven vehicles, while others may consider your car’s risk factors, such as its vulnerability to theft or damage, when determining your premiums. It’s best to contact your insurance provider directly to understand how your rates may be affected if you don’t drive your car.
Can I park my car without insurance?
You can park a car without insurance on private property, but your vehicle must be insured to park on a public road or street. Non-operational vehicle insurance policies could work for this situation, but contact your provider to find the appropriate sitting car insurance.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Producer
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Producer
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.